UDC allies rethink key policies
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday July 17, 2026 11:14
The Botswana National Front (BNF), Alliance for Progressives (AP) and Botswana People’s Party (BPP) are all scheduled to hold policy fora during the holiday period. The gatherings are expected to provide members with an opportunity to scrutinise existing policies, debate their relevance and recommend changes where necessary. The policy discussions come at a time when the UDC-led government has repeatedly signaled its intention to review laws and regulations that it believes are impediments to economic growth and effective public service delivery.
UDC president, Duma Boko has in the recent past stated that some laws continue to discourage investment, arguing that outdated legislation has made Botswana less attractive to both local and foreign investors. Therefore, he argued that reviewing such laws was essential if the country is to unlock economic opportunities and accelerate development.
Similarly, Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa recently told Gaborone City councillors that certain by-laws have become barriers to efficient service delivery. As a result, he said some regulations no longer serve the interests of citizens and should therefore be reviewed.
“It is time we let go of some laws that are making it difficult for us to deliver services. Our mandate is to serve the people. If certain laws or policies are no longer working for citizens, then they should be revised,” Motshegwa said.
Consequently, the policy platforms are expected to focus on determining whether existing policies continue to support the aspirations of party members and the broader objectives of the UDC government. Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, BNF deputy secretary-general, Shawn Ntlhaile said their forum provides members with an opportunity to evaluate policies that may not be consistent with the UDC’s vision.
“The policy forum allows members to deliberate on policies that are not aligned with the UDC’s direction, those that require improvement, and those that should be discarded altogether,” Ntlhaile told Mmegi. Furthermore, he explained that Cabinet ministers will also attend the gathering to brief delegates on government programmes and policy implementation. “Ministers will have an opportunity to present their work so that members can better understand government programmes and governance issues. Their presentations will also enable members to make informed recommendations on whether certain policies should be retained, improved or discarded,” he said.
Ntlhaile added that the recommendations emerging from the forum will help shape the UDC government’s future policy direction while ensuring that government programmes remain responsive to the needs of Batswana. He said that policy debates were essential because they enable party members to identify legislative gaps and propose reforms that strengthen governance and improve service delivery.
Meanwhile, Alliance for Progressives secretary-general, Phenyo Butale said their policy forum will equally examine whether existing policies reflect the party’s values and principles. “The forum allows us to determine whether certain policies represent what the AP believes in. As a UDC affiliate, we must contribute to policy discussions and indicate where we agree or disagree,” Butale noted. He noted that although the UDC has adopted common policy positions through its election manifesto, affiliate parties are still entitled to express their views on issues affecting governance and national development.
“UDC has policies contained in its manifesto, but there may be areas where our party believes improvements are necessary. Some policies may need to be refined, while others deserve our full support,” he said. According to Butale, robust policy debates are healthy for the coalition because they ensure that decisions are informed by different perspectives before implementation. Meanwhile, the BPP will hold both policy forum and leadership forum which will focus on the state of party structures and organisational strengthening.“We will have an opportunity to discuss on membership mobilization and branch development, Operational and administrative preparedness which will include policies,” BPP secretary-general, Mmantlha Sankoloba stated. “As affiliate we have to make contribution on policies like other affiliates. We will also update members on the preparedness for the special constitution amendment conference.” Furthermore, party members in good standing will also have an opportunity to make presentations, she said.
Political observers say the timing of the policy forums is significant as the UDC government continues to pursue reforms aimed at improving governance, stimulating economic growth and enhancing service delivery.
The discussions are also expected to test the coalition’s ability to accommodate differing views amongst its affiliate parties while maintaining a united policy direction. Although each affiliate will hold its own policy forum, the outcomes are likely to influence future engagements within the broader UDC structure, particularly on issues where member parties hold differing positions.